Power and Cowardice

"For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:6-7 NRSV)

What does a "spirit of power" mean for a Christian in today's world? As a world community we don't hold to a common understanding of power. Depending on your personal experiences and worldview, you may find comfort in the status quo of our current state of affairs...especially if you're a politician. For those who have been excluded from the benefits of a First World economy and cultural system, you may wish for a radically different way of seeing power exercised.

And no one wants to be a coward. It can lead to a court martial in the military. It can lead to disdain from co-workers and friends. No one likes someone who is cowardly. But who decides what is cowardly and what is powerful? Martin Luther King, Jr. is widely believed to have been a powerful influence on this country; an influence and ideal we are still trying to understand and enact. Some might call him cowardly for his belief in peaceful civil disobedience. 

Some of the seemingly most powerful people in the world are acting out of cowardice, afraid that if they were honest or vulnerable they would lose everything that mattered to them. They act the part of power, but are truly afraid. Their fear keeps us continuously in conflict and keeps peace in the realm of wish and hope. 

The Darkness at the Crucifixion, Gustave Doré

What does a "spirit of power" look like for us who are faithful Christians in today's world? It looks, metaphorically, the same as it did in the first century. It looks like a supremely powerful individual giving up that power to hang on a cross. The power that comes through love and self-discipline is one that gives away that power for someone else. 

I can think of nothing more cowardly than being a blustering bully looking only to gain more and more power, or someone who routinely lies and deceives for personal gain. And nothing less cowardly than becoming weak and powerless for the sake of the world. 

Holding on for the Plunge

Take a look at this picture. What do you see? You might focus on the intent stare on Owen's face as he tries to figure out what is happening and why his head is wet. You might see a hand ready to go back into the water to continue to enact the promise of God. You might see the witness of a sponsor - who remains in the background as we only see his shirt and arm.

You might see that, and indeed those are all elements of this occasion. I see two little, balled, baby fists; holding on for dear life. 

This was my first baptism as the pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. It happened outside of our ordinary worship services out of necessity, but God was still very present. It was a holy moment, as all baptisms are, and it is always a moment of great joy for me as a pastor to be a part of these moments of profound unqualified grace.

But the more I look at this picture, the more I am entranced by Owen's hands. He was a bit squirmy, not really comfortable with me holding him. Or maybe he just wanted to see what was happening. I didn't realize at the time that he was holding onto my sleeve so tightly. I knew his father's arm was nearby, but I couldn't see that he was also holding onto an extended finger.

What an incredibly important image for us to remember. God is acting in the water through the promise of the Word. God is present in the witness of the community. And God is present, in the support that comes from both the community (which I represent) and a parent. As Owen holds on to these two realities, he's ready for the plunge. He's ready for the cleansing water of God; as much as any of us are ready.

He held on. He was washed. He continues to hold on. And now our job is to keep him plunging daily into and out of the washing water of God's promise.